How to Explore Ludington, Michigan

This is a guest post by Raimee Iacofano from Raimetravel.

He grew up in Michigan, Ludington was the right place. In every summer, my family was beating the car, some classic rocks (Think of Tom Betty, Fleetwood Mac, Lynyrd Skynyrd Singalong games), heading west of the beach days, climbing the lighthouse, and the best Superman ice cream that you will get at all. This was a tradition for us every year because my ancestors are called Ludington Home.

As a child, it looked like a pure magic. They fall asleep on the sound of the waves, chase the seagulls barefoot in the sand, and the sticky fingers from the melted cones that have always been imprisoned to as a conscious. Ludington was not just a holiday place for us, it was a special place to make our family memories!

But then life occurred. I grew up. Things changed. I started traveling around the world, chasing the new coasts, and eventually moved throughout the country to California. The summer is less than the beach and heat towels on the Michigan Lake and more than the airports and new countries, and places time from my bulldozer menu.

However, Ludington has always been in the back of my mind. Regardless of the number of slopes that rose in Ireland, or the temples in which I wandered in Asia, part of me wanted to return. To find out if it still keeps the same magic or if you have crossed it.

Finally, this summer, I came back for the first time in more than a decade. And … Wow. Ludington is more private now. He is a magician and peaceful, but he is completely crowded with things to do. If you sleep in the west of Michigan (or Michigan in general), this is the official awakening call.

I thought this trip would be a little nostalgia, and perhaps a quiet picnic below the memory lane. Instead, Ludington completely surprised me with a surface dinner, beer factories with fire drilling, hiking paths, and many nearby adventures. Frankly, there is a lot here so that you can stay for a week and Still Leave with a list of things for “next time”.

Here is the way you spent my time and all I recommend if you plan for your trip to Ludington.

Things to do in Ludington

1. Beach days and lighthouse trips
First Station: Sterens Park Beach. It is completely free and can walk from the city center, which I love. We have created a lot of snacks, watching people, and even we played a small Chiflipopia (yes, there are free kfoflord stadiums on the beach!). Smooth sand, the atmosphere is placed, and the endless deep blue water makes you forget that you are not in the ocean.

If you are awake early, or ready to stay late, walk on the Ludington North Breakwateer Light wall. The lighthouse is amazing during the sunrise and sunset, and each gives the lake a completely different mood. Professional advice: If you go out around 9 am, you will pick up SS Badger, which is a coal -working historical phrase, which makes its way across the Michigan Lake to Wisconsin. The tradition is to face goodbye to the passengers on the plane, and feel like it is entering a direct moment from the little American.

For more adventure, go to the Ludington State Park Park. It is often called the “Jewel of the Crown” for Michigan State Gardens – and I get it now. Twenty -five miles of the winds through forests, dunes and beaches, with a stop in Lake Michigan and Hameen Lake. The most prominent? Long -distance walking to Big Saable Point LightHouse. It is about two miles in every direction, but walking is great and the reward is huge: a long and planned lighthouse from the nineteenth century of the wave guardian. It is the type of spot that makes you stop and think, “Wow, I can’t believe this in Michigan.”

2. The museum time (because I love history secretly)
One of my favorite travel is that I always end up in at least one museum – it doesn’t matter where I go. In Ludington, I found a jewel:

• Historical white pine villageOpen air museum with more than 30 historic buildings, from one room from one room to an old court. He felt wandering wandering as if to a simpler time, and gave me a completely new appreciation to the roots of Michigan.
• Ludington Maritime Port Museum: Ideal if you like the history of the great lakes, beacons, or boats. It is at the previous coast guard station and has a fun mix of interactive exhibitions and old magic.

The reward: Both the two light spots, so bring the camera.

3. Water adventures and nature repair
If you are an outdoor person, Ludington is basically heaven. You can rent kayak boats in Hamelin Lake to get a peaceful glory, or seize a floating boat if you want more atmosphere at parties. Rowing panels are another fun choice – a great exercise, and you will get a completely different perspective of the lake.

Not in water? There is also mountain cycling, disk golf, and a lot of long -distance walking paths. Ludington is really the best in the two worlds: the magic of a small town mixed with endless external adventures.

Where is eating and drinking in Ludington

I would be honest: I didn’t expect the Ludington food scene good. But Wow. From breakfast sites to beer factories, they were seriously affected.

Breakfast and unofficial bites

• Café 106: Warm and gentle, perfect for lunch. Their omelette hit the place after a morning picnic.
• FlavorsThe most famous ice cream store in the city. I grew up taking Superman here, but this journey discovered an ice cream cake cake and let me tell you – I changed my life.
• Sand box at Sterens BeachNext to the water, serve gourmet slices, fried potatoes, and ice cream. The perfect beach and cold food!

Dinner

• StepsNear the state garden, with huge biergarten, live music, and even grass games. It is a partial center, the axis of the islands.
• Blue Moon PesteroThe surface yard is great with seasonal dishes. This is where I had the best Robin sandwich in my life (and I do not say that lightly).
• Jamesport Brewing Co. & Ludington Bay Brewing: Two wonderful beer factories with outdoor yards – ideal for the golden watch.
• Cut on the Hameen Lake: A newer spot floating (literally) on a trick overlooking the lake. Come to dinner, or just seize the cocktails in their yard. Reward: You can even reach a boat.

Something sweet + coffee

• Kilwain: Fudge + Chocolates = Heaven.
• Red Rooster coffeeWarm, friendly, with iced lattes that struck the place after a hot day.
• man: If you are a tea mustache, or you just need to reset the activities, then this place is perfect.

Where is the stay in Ludington

There is an atmosphere for every type of traveler here.

• CampingLudington State Park contains beautiful camps that keep you close to nature.
• downtown: Stay in a historical hostel, hotel, or B&B for easy access to beaches and restaurants.
• The lake interfaceFor something special, look at Hamlin Lake Rentals. I stayed in SunSet Bluff ResortAnd it was perfect.

We had a small yellow house with positive reactions in the comfortable cabin but all the basics. The best part? Direct fire hole from water. Every night, we roast S’Oores, and we saw the sunset cotton candy, and the local open beer from the Ludington Brewing Bay. It was the type of place that immediately dissolves stress and makes you feel exactly as you are supposed to be.

The best local stores in Ludington

I always go out to wander around local stores when I travel – it’s one of the best ways to get to know the city. In Ludington, I found some gemstones along Ludington Street and South James Street:

• Nomadic: Prefer it! Beautiful sponsorship with ancient clothes, Moroccan jewelry, ceramic, handmade treasures. She felt as if she was entering a global market – but here in Michigan.
• Sister beesWomen owned by natural skin care, honeywax products and Michigan honey. This is a deliberate place for gifts.
• Books used and new books: Warm, welcome, and full of great readings. A romantic novel (clearly) was taken. The employees were very nice, and that reminded me of why I always stop in independent libraries when I travel.

The return to Ludington as an adult was like to re -read the childhood book and discover the new magic between the lines. I felt satisfied, nostalgia and fresh at the same time. There is a strong thing about reconsidering the places that formed you and realizing that they are beautiful – sometimes better – until you remember.

If you don’t go to West Michigan, or some time have passed, put Ludington at the top of your list. It is a small city with a large heart, an amazing landscape and a society that makes you feel at home.

Trust me! I actually plan for my next trip. Perhaps, perhaps, it will become a tradition again.

For more planning information, check Purelludington.com.

Raimee Iacofano grew up in Michigan. Eight years ago, I started to travel around the world and help the creators improve their social media (even worked with me for a few years). It has since started its own institution to help people travel more intelligent and get out of the laughter. When you don’t wander around the world, live in Los Angeles. Follow her amazing videos on Instagram and Tikhak Download its free evidence on its website, Raimetravel.